All About Dental Sealants for Kids

Today’s modern dentistry offers something unique known as dental sealants. It is most commonly used in pediatric dentistry. Sealants are in essence a type of plastic material that is applied to the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces found on the back teeth. In particular, this type of treatment is most popular when used for the molars where brushing is more difficult. Grooves that are difficult to clean stand to benefit the most from dental sealants for kids. In short, a protected tooth that has been properly sealed is far less likely to experience a dental cavity. Kids have a habit of not brushing regularly and tend to especially miss the back of the mouth when they do brush.

Areas Where Food Particles and Bacteria Can Hide

This ultimately leads to cavities and dental decay. While there are some cases where dental sealants are used for adults, it is most commonly used for young children’s teeth. Sealants work by simply filling in the grooves and fissures in the chewing surface of the back teeth. This is an area where food particles and bacteria can hide and ultimately trigger the formation of a cavity. It is important to note that dental type sealants do not last forever but they can indeed last up to 10 years or longer. During regular routine dental visits, the dentist will check for any reduction in the effectiveness of sealants that have been previously applied. In instances where sealants have worn away, decay could begin to cause a cavity.

Immediately Following the Eruption of the Adult Teeth

The good news is the dental sealants have been used for a long time and have been shown to be very effective at reducing the risk of cavities. While some dentists may recommend sealants immediately following the eruption of adult teeth, others may determine that that is not the best option. Remember that each patient, child or an adult, is unique and different and that is why custom treatment varies from patient to patient. All said, dental sealants are a helpful treatment as a way to improve the dental health of young children. However, nothing replaces good dental practices at home. Parents should work with their children to establish the very best in dental practices from the earliest age possible. To learn more about dental sealants for kids and all that this innovative technology makes possible talk with your pediatric dentist in Stockton, Sajjad Rizvi, DDS at Happy Kids Dental today.

References:
[1] Dental Sealants – A Basic Overview
[2] Do Kids Need Dental Sealants?
[3] How Do Dental Sealants Actually Work